GreyDonk's first day back in work

PolarSkye

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. . . after a good six weeks off . . . eek!

I'm going to long-rein him today - round the gallops because there's good turf underfoot and we won't come out of walk. Tomorrow I'll get on him in the school (may need a parachute) and, again, will keep to walk for now . . . lots of shapes, transitions and maybe a little work in hand first. Plans are afoot to go for a gentle (walk only) hack this weekend and I'll be looking to build up his work from walk to walk/trot over the next couple of weeks - depending on soundness.

He looks sound enough in the field . . . haven't lunged him yet (scared to) . . . but fingers crossed we're moving in the right direction.

Any ideas on what else I can do with him?

P
 
Sounds like a good plan PS. Glad he's back! I am smiling at the thought of 'good turf under his feet' and 'we'll just stick to walk'. Let us know how that goes :D
 
Sounds like a good plan PS. Glad he's back! I am smiling at the thought of 'good turf under his feet' and 'we'll just stick to walk'. Let us know how that goes :D

Those were my thoughts:D I'd strap tomorrow's parachute on today and hope it works as an air brake:D Have fun.
 
Glad to hear he's back in work again and agree with the others about putting the parachute on today lol! I know I'd need it if I took my lad on the gallops planning to just walk.

Hope all goes well and look forward to hearing about your adventures again soon. :) x
 
Well - we lived :). He had been out for a good five hours in the field (the longest stretch yet since his box rest) so was really chilled out. I didn't even groom him - just chucked the lunge roller, bridle and lunge lines on him and headed straight out . . . he was a little on his toes for the first five minutes but he soon settled down really strode out - and tracked up - hurrah! I didn't ask much of him - just that he walk forward, calmly and straight . . . but we did try some transitions on the hill.

The bonus was that our friendly yard photographer happened to be out on the gallops taking pictures and took a few of Kal. I can't post b/c they're watermarked, but if you're interested check out my FB page (Naomi Higgins).

He got a proper bath (first one in ages) a walk in hand round the school (I tried walking him off round the yard but he decided to steal another horse's dinner that just happened to be lying around - poor half starved beast) and when I left him he was munching on his hay and looking very pleased with himself.

Back on board tomorrow . . . eeeep!

P
 
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